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Caffeine

MT51 profile image
MT51
30 Replies

I very seldom drink Coca-Cola but have had a craving for it for the past few weeks. Presume it's not advisable if you have AF but I think you get caffeine-free Coke, which would be OK, I think?

I practically never drink coffee, never think the taste lives up to the smell, drink lots of tap water and about 2-3 mugs of Twining's 1706 each day. I know there's caffeine in tea but I can't abide weak and wobbly tea.

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MT51 profile image
MT51
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30 Replies
Hennerton profile image
Hennerton

Yes, but caffeine free is still full of sugar and so you are better sticking to your lovely strong tea and plenty of water. I think it isn't the caffeine that is necessarily the problem with Coca-cola but the whole horrible package of ingredients. Sorry! I am a misery about sweetened factory made drinks! Just ignore me...

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to Hennerton

You can get caffeine free it had a gold wrap round I also drink caffeine free tea and coffee Have for years now Well before I got AF

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to Vonnieruth

Thanks, Vonnieruth.

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to Hennerton

Won't ignore you at all! I am currently finding apple juice too sweet and I've always loved it up until now!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

I avoid anything with artificial additives and blame artificial sweeteners for causing my AF.

Jean

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to jeanjeannie50

That's interesting. Although I've never used artificial sweeteners myself as I don't like artificial additives either. I just want a soft drink with some bite in it and you know what it's like when you get a craving for something. I like tap water but it can get monotonous.

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to MT51

I followed Jean and add lemon to water I use a infusion bottle with a container in and now add all kinds of flavour to my water Fresh mint leaves with lemon is nice

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to Vonnieruth

Sounds good.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to MT51

Aspartame is the devil's spawn and does untold harm to us humans. I gave up sweetners and went back to sugar 30 years ago when my wife said it was changing my personality! Google it.

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to BobD

Oh, I remember the kerfuffle about aspartame!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to MT51

They're in a lot of soft drinks.

Finvola profile image
Finvola

In my case, sugar or artificial sweeteners would be more damaging to my heart rhythm than caffeine. Coca-cola is supposedly addictive - makes me wonder why. ☹️

If you mix your own concoction, you can control what you drink - mine is sparkling water with fresh lime slices and a small dash of elderflower cordial.

Hennerton profile image
Hennerton in reply to Finvola

Cucumber (shaved with a speed peeler in long curls) in plain water, is delicious on a hot day.

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to Hennerton

Never tried cucumber

Hennerton profile image
Hennerton in reply to Vonnieruth

It is quite unusual but whenever I serve it, people love it. Also it looks very pretty in a tall jug or carafe.

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to Hennerton

I am liking the cucumber idea!

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to MT51

Looks like we could write a recipe book on flavoured water drinks between us lol

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

De caff tea is what I drink but do understand that de caff anything does not mean caffeine free, merely reduced.

Hennerton profile image
Hennerton

Ah, but have you thought about what they do to do de-caffeinate it? I daresay some nasty process and chemicals are involved. Sorry, again but all these changes to a natural product do not come without harm to our bodies.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to Hennerton

It's a long complicated process and very bad for the environment.

The one shining glimmer of joy I have is the occasional caffeine-free Pepsi.

Note Occasionally - it's not all I drink. Regularly drink caffeine-free tea (to the point I can't stomach a caffeinated brew), never touched coffee and not touched "full fat" Pepsi or coke for nearly a year.

No Coffee, no builders tea, no booze of any kind, no smoking, no vaping, no alcohol free booze, no energy drinks, so I think I'll allow myself the Pepsi :D

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to jedimasterlincoln

There has to be some pleasure in life!

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony

We find that Yorkshire Tea decaff tea is brilliant. Both my wife and I like "builders tea" and find this the best tasting de caff. Was put on de caff by urologist many years ago as have bladder problems - now do notice when I drink the occassional caffeine tea or coffee while out that I have to go to the loo straight away. My wife also notices a difference when she drinks caffeine now too which annoys her because she didn't need to change to decaffeinated drinks. Urologist suggested rooiboos tea but didn't really like that I really like tea drinking about 4/5 cups a day with a small coffee after dinner.

sportscoach profile image
sportscoach

I have been involved in countless lectures on nutrition and sports nutrition over the years and gained a number of nutritional qualifications I wouldn't touch coke for a gold cow have a look at the attached link....

collective-evolution.com/20...

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to sportscoach

Read the article but I feel it undermines its credibility by somewhat overstating its case.

sportscoach profile image
sportscoach in reply to MT51

Agreed... but these articles deliver a message that most people can relate to in simple terms without all the science gobbledygook.

The bottom line in sport is you eat or drink rubbish you will be rubbish as one 8 year old youngster once said to me.....he wouldn't put rubbish petrol in a racing car and expect it go properly.

Everything in moderation is a great saying unfortunately, for a lot of people these days this doesn't happen just look at the obesity figures especially amongst children

Coral39 profile image
Coral39

Hi it is caffeine that is the problem as to much makes the heart not cope basically it makes the heart palpitations come about I got told this many years ago and now every time I go into hospital with af they are like do you drink caffeine drinks I’m like no as I know the issues with af and caffeine

I’ve now recently since I had af in January I’ve stopped drinking even lemonade and I stick to either lemon squash or 90% of time it’s water

jondeanp profile image
jondeanp

I buy caffeine free cola (Coca cola or Aldi brand). I can't say i have found any issues with them.

When my AF was first diagnosed i tried to cut out caffeine altogether (including tea & coffee) so went down the caffeine free cola route, especially for the rum mixer (tut-tut i hear).

If there is no decaffeinated versions available i am happy to have these as i know that it'll be a one off scenario.

Like Desanthony says i also buy the caffeine free "Yorkshire Tea" as it's as good as a regular tea

I'm not even sure if caffeine could be a trigger for me, but just trying to avoid the risk. When i was first experienced AF i was drinking a lot of caffeine, but there were other things going on that could have triggered it, or a combination of factors

MT51 profile image
MT51

Thanks Jondeanp. I'm only thinking of having one can of decaf Coke now and again, a bit of variety in a blameless fluid intake of water and tea! Although my doctor does sanction a glass or two of wine now and again!

Amcech profile image
Amcech

My EP told me I could have the equivalent of one cup of coffee each day. I do have a Pepsi (no attacks, I know the risks) almost every day after giving it up for several years and all caffeine even chocolate. I'm not telling you to do this but that occasional Pepsi has not triggered AF, but red wine does so I stay away from that and if I do have an occasional wine, it's white for me.

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